Method for deforming a web

ABSTRACT

A process for deforming a web is disclosed. The steps include forming a plurality of microscopic aberrations in a first layer and/or second layer of a precursor web. The microscopic aberrations comprising sidewalls and an aperture disposed at a distal end of the sidewalls. The first layer extends laterally outboard more than the second layer. The precursor web is advanced to a forming unit. The plurality of macroscopic features is simultaneously formed in the precursor web, including first and second features; the first features are disposed in an area of overlap between the first and second layer; the second features are disposed in an area laterally outboard of the second layer; the microscopic aberrations extend in a first direction from the precursor web; the first and second features extend in a second direction from the precursor web; and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for deforming aweb.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laminate webs containing a film layer and/or a fibrous nonwoven layerare well known in the art. Three-dimensionally deformed laminate websare utilized in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. Forexample, nonwoven webs are often laminated with polymer films such thatthey are useful as materials in disposable products such as topsheets ondisposable absorbent articles.

Apertured webs are known for use in disposable absorbent articles suchas feminine hygiene articles including sanitary napkins, and disposablediapers and the like. Such articles typically have a fluid pervioustopsheet, a fluid impervious breathable backsheet, and an absorbent coredisposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. Apertured webs can bemade to form a fluid pervious topsheet and/or the fluid imperviousbreathable backsheet in absorbent articles. Webs having loops or tuftsare also desirable as such webs have a bulky texture and/or softness.

Designers of absorbent articles are faced with the challenge ofdesigning articles that provide for healthy skin in all regions of thewearer's crotch. In some instances, the benefit of providing for skinhealth in one region is obtained at the expense of decreased skin healthin another region. Designs that apply a uniform approach across theentire absorbent article may not provide for satisfactory skin healthand fluid acquisition throughout the entire crotch region. Furthermore,skin health and the feeling of wetness can impact how comfortable theabsorbent article is to wear.

Meanwhile, various fluid handling demands on different portions of anabsorbent article, and different physical interactions between portionsof an absorbent article and portions of a wearer's body create uniqueneeds for different regions of the topsheet which may be met by formingdifferent structures in different regions. In addition, expectation ofenhanced perceptions of functionalities of absorbent articles such asabsorbency and breathability also creates needs for structural featuresin predetermined regions of the topsheet. To meet such needs, one layerof the web, or multiple layers of the web may be deformed to formdifferent structures in predetermined regions.

In many cases to provide best functionality and enhanced perceptions ofabsorbent articles, several structures may be formed in a continuousprocess comprising multiple unit steps. Formation of features in a webin a different sequence may cause weakening of the web structure,thereby causing tearing during the manufacturing process or in use.Further, separation of unit steps of structure formations may increasethe possibility that some or many structures closely co-located in a webformed in different unit steps overlap.

A need exists for processes and apparatuses that will allow a web to bedeformed to have structures in different regions via single unitoperation. Especially, a need exists for processes and apparatuses thatare capable of deforming a web where at least one of structures isformed in one layer or limited numbers of layers of the web while otherstructures are formed through the entire web in z-dimension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description will be more fully understood in viewof the drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a method andapparatus for deforming a web according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a method andapparatus for deforming a web according to the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of another means of supplying aprecursor web in a process of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary structure of aweakening unit of the process of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of another exemplary structure of aweakening unit of the process of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of mated forming structures.

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a process to provide atensioning force on a web using mated forming structures of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another pair of mated formingstructures.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view of a CD SELF roll with astaggered pattern of teeth thereon.

FIG. 7B is a cross-section of a portion of the mated forming structuresshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7C is an enlarged perspective view of a MD SELF roll with astaggered pattern of teeth thereon.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another pair of mated formingstructures.

FIG. 9 is a fragmented cross-sectional view through a portion of the nipbetween a pair of rolls having forming elements to form embossingsuitable for the processes and apparatuses.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a forming structure in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another forming structure in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a web that can be producedaccording to the present process using the forming structure in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view of intermeshing engagement of portions of the formingstructure of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14A is a view of a portion of a first roll of the forming structureshown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14B is a view of a portion of a second roll of the formingstructure shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of exemplary third formingelements of FIG. 14B.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a formingstructure in accordance with the present invention.

The embodiments shown in the drawings are illustrative in nature and arenot intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims.Moreover, the features of the invention will be more fully apparent andunderstood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The term “absorbent article” includes disposable articles such assanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons, interlabial devices, wounddressings, diapers, adult incontinence articles, wipes, and the like.Still further, the absorbent members produced by the processes andapparatuses disclosed herein can find utility in other webs such asscouring pads, dry-mop pads (such as SWIFFER® pads), and the like. Atleast some of such absorbent articles are intended for the absorption ofbody liquids, such as menses or blood, vaginal discharges, urine, andfeces. Wipes may be used to absorb body liquids, or may be used forother purposes, such as for cleaning surfaces. Various absorbentarticles described above will typically comprise a liquid pervioustopsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and anabsorbent core between the topsheet and backsheet.

The term “absorbent core”, as used herein, refers to the component ofthe absorbent article that is primarily responsible for storing liquids.As such, the absorbent core typically does not include the topsheet orbacksheet of the absorbent article.

The term “absorbent member”, as used herein, refers to the components ofthe absorbent article that typically provide one or more liquid handlingfunctionality, e.g., liquid acquisition, liquid distribution, liquidtransportation, liquid storage, etc. If the absorbent member comprisesan absorbent core component, the absorbent member can comprise theentire absorbent core or only a portion of the absorbent core.

The term “absorbent structure”, as used herein, refers to an arrangementof more than one absorbent component of an absorbent article.

The term “adjacent”, as used herein, with reference to features, areas,or regions, means near or close to, and which need not be in contactwith each other.

The term “aperture”, as used herein, refers to a hole. The apertures caneither be punched cleanly through the web so that the materialsurrounding the aperture lies in the same plane as the web prior to theformation of the aperture (a “two dimensional” aperture), or holesformed in which at least some of the material surrounding the opening ispushed out of the plane of the web. In the latter case, the aperturesmay resemble a protrusion or depression with an aperture therein, andmay be referred to herein as a “three dimensional” aperture, a subset ofapertures.

The term “component” of an absorbent article, as used herein, refers toan individual constituent of an absorbent article, such as a topsheet,acquisition layer, liquid handling layer, absorbent core or layers ofabsorbent cores, backsheets, and barriers such as barrier layers andbarrier cuffs.

The term “cross-machine direction” or “CD” means the path that isperpendicular to the machine direction in the plane of the web.

The term “deformable material”, as used herein, is a material which iscapable of changing its shape or density in response to applied stressesor strains. Such deformable materials may be chemically homogeneous orheterogeneous, such as homopolymers and polymer blends, structurallyhomogeneous or heterogeneous, such as plain sheets or laminates, or anycombination of such materials.

The term “discrete”, as used herein, means distinct or unconnected. Whenthe term “discrete” is used relative to forming elements on a formingmember, it is meant that the distal (or radially outwardmost) ends ofthe forming elements are distinct or unconnected in all directions,including in the machine and cross-machine directions (even though basesof the forming elements may be formed into the same surface of a roll,for example).

The term “forming element(s)”, as used herein, refers to any elements onthe surface of a forming member that are capable of deforming a web. Theterm “forming element(s)” includes both continuous or non-discreteforming elements such as the ridges and grooves on ring rolls, anddiscrete forming elements such as teeth.

The term “intermixed”, as used herein, refers to features that aredistributed between other features over at least some portion of thesurface of a component, in which the features differ from each other asdescribed herein. The term “intermixed” comprises arrangements offeatures in which at least two of the closest features in any direction(including, but not limited to longitudinal, transverse, or diagonal)differ from each other as described herein, even though there may be asimilar feature that is as close as, or closer to, a given feature inanother direction.

The term “Interpenetrating SELF” and the acronym “IPS”, as used herein,refers to a process that uses The Procter & Gamble Company's SELFtechnology (described below) to combine at least two layers or materialstogether. Tufts may be formed in both materials; or, the tuft of onematerial may burst through the other material. Interpenetrating SELF isdescribed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,752.

The term “joined to” encompasses configurations in which an element isdirectly secured to another element by affixing the element directly tothe other element; configurations in which the element is indirectlysecured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediatemember(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; andconfigurations in which one element is integral with another element,i.e., one element is essentially part of the other element. The term“joined to” encompasses configurations in which an element is secured toanother element at selected locations, as well as configurations inwhich an element is completely secured to another element across theentire surface of one of the elements. The term “joined to” includes anyknown manner in which elements can be secured including, but not limitedto mechanical entanglement.

The term “layer” is used herein to refer to an absorbent member whoseprimary dimension is X-Y, i.e., along its length (or longitudinaldirection) and width (or transverse direction). It should be understoodthat the term “layer” is not necessarily limited to single layers orsheets of material. Thus the layer can comprise laminates orcombinations of several sheets or webs of the requisite type ofmaterials. Accordingly, the term “layer” includes the terms “layers” and“layered”.

The term “machine direction” or “MD” means the path that material, suchas a web, follows through a manufacturing process.

The term “male/female embossing” as used herein, refers to an embossingapparatus and process that involves the use of at least a pair ofpatterned rolls, wherein the first patterned roll comprises one or moreprojections or protrusions, and the second patterned roll comprises oneor more recesses into which one or more of the projections of the firstpatterned roll mesh. The projections and recesses may be discreteembossing elements, and they may have matched or unmatched patterns. Theterm “male/female embossing”, thus, excludes embossing processes thatutilize the combination of a patterned roll against a flat anvil roll ordeformable roll.

The term “macroscopic”, as used herein, refers to structural features orelements that are readily visible and distinctly discernable to a humanhaving 20/20 vision when the perpendicular distance between the viewer'seye and the web is about 12 inches (30 cm). Conversely, the term“microscopic” refers to such features that are not readily visible anddistinctly discernable under such conditions.

The terms “mechanically impacting” or “mechanically deforming”, may beused interchangeably herein, to refer to processes in which a mechanicalforce is exerted upon a material.

The term “Micro-SELF” is a process that is similar in apparatus andmethod to that of the SELF process defined herein. Micro-SELF teeth havedifferent dimensions such that they are more conducive to forming tuftswith openings on the leading and trailing edges. A process usingmicro-SELF to form tufts in a web substrate is disclosed in U.S. Patentapplication Publication No. US 2006/0286343A1.

The term “permanently deformed”, as used herein, refers to the state ofa deformable material whose shape or density has been permanentlyaltered in response to applied stresses or strains.

The term “rib-like structure(s)”, as used herein, refers to anembossment, debossment or a combination thereof which has a major axisand a minor axis. Preferably, the major axis is at least as long as theminor axis. The major axes of the rib-like structures are preferablyoriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of applied elongation.Rib-like structures may have continuous side walls associated therewith,i.e., a continuous “transition zone,” and may not exhibit rupturing of aweb. Rib-like structures is understood to include tufts.

The terms “ring roll” or “ring rolling” refer to a process usingdeformation members comprising counter rotating rolls, intermeshingbelts or intermeshing plates containing continuous ridges and grooveswhere intermeshing ridges (or projections) and grooves (or recesses) ofdeformation members engage and stretch a web interposed therebetween.For ring rolling, the deformation members can be arranged to stretch theweb in the cross machine direction or the machine direction depending onthe orientation of the ridges and grooves.

The term “rotary knife aperturing” (RKA) refers to a process andapparatus using intermeshing forming elements similar to those describedherein with respect to SELF or micro-SELF forming elements. The RKAprocess differs from SELF or micro-SELF in that the SELF or micro-SELFforming elements which are relatively flat, elongated teeth have beenmodified to be pyramid shaped, elongated with at least six sides, thesides being substantially triangular and tapered to a point at thedistal end. The RKA teeth can be sharpened to cut through as well asdeform a web to produce an apertured web, or in some cases, athree-dimensionally apertured web, as disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. US 2005/0064137A1, US 2006/0087053A1, andUS 2005/021753. In other respects such as tooth height, tooth spacing,pitch, depth of engagement, and other processing parameters, RKA and theRKA apparatus can be the same as described herein with respect to SELFor micro-SELF.

The terms “SELF” or “SELFing”, refer to Procter & Gamble technology inwhich SELF stands for Structural Elastic Like Film. While the processwas originally developed for deforming polymer film to have beneficialstructural characteristics, it has been found that the SELFing processcan be used to produce beneficial structures in other materials.Processes, apparatuses with SELF teeth, and patterns produced via SELFare illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,518,801; 5,691,035;5,723,087; 5,891,544; 5,916,663; 6,027,483; and 7,527,615. The term“tuft”, as used herein, refers to a particular type of protrusion. Tuftsmay have a tunnel-like configuration, and in some cases may be open atone or both of their ends.

The term “Z-dimension” refers to the dimension orthogonal to the lengthand width of a web. The Z-dimension usually corresponds to the thicknessof the web.

I. Deformed Web.

The present inventions are directed to processes and apparatuses fordeforming a web. Processes and apparatuses are disclosed that arecapable of forming new structures in webs that provide the webs withadditional properties. It should be understood that while the term“deformed web” is utilized herein, the object is to create components,such as absorbent members (or non-absorbent components), for absorbentarticles from such deformed web. In such cases, the deformed web will becut into individual components for absorbent articles. The deformed webcan also be used in products other than absorbent articles including,but not limited to packaging materials and trash bags.

Structures which can be provided in webs and the components formedtherefrom include features extending out of the plane of the web on atleast one side thereof. In the case of webs used in absorbent articles,such structures may include those that provide a single portion of theweb with at least one property (such as improved softness, fluidhandling, or other properties) in a predetermined portion of the web.

The process can allow a precursor web comprising a first layer and asecond layer to be simultaneously deformed in at least one first areawhere both the first and second layers exist, and at least one secondarea where the second layer does not exist.

The deformed web or precursor web comprises a first layer and a secondlayer each of which comprises any suitable deformable material. Such asuitable deformable material can be a woven, nonwoven, film, paper,tissue, knitted fabric, combination, composite or laminate of any of theforegoing materials.

As used herein, the term a “nonwoven” refers to a material having astructure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but notin a repeating pattern as in a woven or knitted fabric, which do nottypically have randomly oriented fibers. Nonwoven or fabrics have beenformed from many processes, such as, for example, meltblowing,spunbonding, hydroentangling, airlaid, wetlaid, through-air-dried papermaking processes, and bonded carded web processes, including cardedthermal bonding. The woven, nonwoven, film, combination, or laminate canbe made of any suitable materials including, but not limited to naturalmaterials, synthetic materials, and combinations thereof. Suitablenatural materials include, but are not limited to cellulose, cottonlinters, bagasse, wool fibers, silk fibers, etc. In some embodiments,the web materials may be substantially free of cellulose, and/or excludepaper materials. In other embodiments, the methods described herein maybe performed on cellulose-containing precursor materials.

As used herein, the term a “polymeric film” comprise thermoplasticpolymers having characteristic rheological properties which depend ontheir composition and temperature. Below their glass transitiontemperature, such thermoplastic polymers can be hard, stiff, and/orbrittle. Below the glass transition temperature, the molecules are inrigid, fixed positions. Above the glass transition temperature but belowthe melt temperature range, thermoplastic polymers exhibitviscoelasticity. In this temperature range, the thermoplastic materialgenerally has a certain degree of crystallinity, and is generallyflexible and to some degree deformable under a force. The deformabilityof such a thermoplastic is dependent on the rate of deformation, amount(dimensional quantity) of deformation, length of time it is deformed,and its temperature. In one embodiment, processes can be utilized toform materials comprising thermoplastic polymers, especiallythermoplastic film, which are within this viscoelastic temperaturerange. Polymeric film can comprise a certain amount of ductility.Ductility, as used herein, is the amount of permanent, unrecoverable,plastic strain which occurs when a material is deformed, prior tofailure (rupture, breakage, or separation) of the material. Materialsthat can be used as described herein can have a minimum ductility of atleast about 10%, or at least about 50%, or at least about 100%, or atleast about 200%. Polymeric film webs can include materials normallyextruded or cast as films such as polyolefins, nylons, polyesters, andthe like. Such films can be thermoplastic materials such aspolyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene,polypropylenes and copolymers and blends containing substantialfractions of these materials. Such films can be treated with surfacemodifying agents to impart hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, suchas imparting a lotus effect. As noted below, polymeric film can betextured or otherwise altered from a strictly flat, planarconfiguration.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the deformed web comprises a) aplurality of first features comprising apertures formed throughout theweb in z-dimension in a first area of the web where the first and secondlayers exist, and b) a plurality of second features formed in at leastone second area of the web where the second layer does not exist. Incase the web is a two-layer web, the second features are formed in thefirst layer only. In case the web is a three or more layer web, thesecond features may be formed through the entire layers exiting in thesecond area.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the deformed web further comprises aplurality of third features formed in at least one third area of the webwhere both the first and second layers exist. The first area and thethird area may be distinctively separated each other, or overlap eachother at least in part.

In some embodiments, the second features and/or the third features maybe selected from the group consisting of one or more of the foregoingtypes of features. For example, the second and/or third features cancomprise apertures, protrusions, or depressed areas (or “depressions”).The second features may be of a different type and/or have differentproperties or characteristics than the first features or the optionalthird features. The deformed web may further comprise fourth or moreformed features. The fourth, or more features may comprise any of thetypes of features or have any of the properties described herein, andmay differ from the first and second features in any such aspects.

The first features and second features may be of any suitable size.Typically, either the first features or the second features can bemacroscopic. In some embodiments, the first features and the secondfeatures will both be macroscopic. The plan view area of the individualfeatures may, in some embodiments of the web, be greater than or equalto about 0.5 mm², 1 mm², 5 mm², 10 mm², or 15 mm², or lie in any rangebetween two of these numbers. The methods described herein can, however,be used to create first features and/or second features that aremicroscopic which have plan view areas less than 0.5 mm².

The second features and the optional third features, and other optionalfeatures may be of any suitable configuration. The features may becontinuous and/or discrete. Suitable configurations for the featuresinclude, but are not limited to: ridges (continuous protrusions) andgrooves (continuous depressions); tufts; columnar shapes; dome-shapes,tent-shapes, volcano-shapes; features having plan view configurationsincluding circular, oval, hour-glass shaped, star shaped, polygonal,polygonal with rounded corners, and the like, and combinations thereof.Polygonal shapes include, but are not limited to rectangular (inclusiveof square), triangular, hexagonal, or trapezoidal.

The first features and the second features may differ from each other interms of one or more of the following properties: type, shape, size,aspect ratio, edge-to-edge spacing, height or depth, density, color,surface treatment (e.g., lotion, etc.), number of web layers within thefeatures, and orientation (protruding from different sides of the web).The term “type”, as used herein, refers to whether the feature is anaperture (a two dimensional aperture, or a three dimensional aperture),a protrusion (a tuft, or other kind of protrusion), or a depression. Twofeatures will be considered to be different in type if one featurecomprises one of these features listed (for example, a two dimensionalaperture), and the other feature comprises another one of the listedfeatures (for example, a three dimensional aperture). When the featuresare described as differing from each other in one of more of theproperties listed above, it is meant to include those differences otherthan minor differences that are the result of variations withinmanufacturing tolerances. It should also be understood that although theweb may have discrete thermal or adhesive bond sites therein, in someembodiments the features of interest imparted by this process herein donot include such bond sites.

In one embodiment, the first features are features selected from thegroup consisting of apertures, protrusions, depressions, tufts, andcombinations thereof, and the second discrete feature are featuresselected from the group consisting of apertures, protrusions,depressions, tufts, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, thefirst features are apertures and the second features are tufts.

The various types of deformed webs will be shown in conjunction with thedescriptions of the apparatuses and processes used to form the same.These webs can be cut to form various components of products such asabsorbent articles (such as topsheets, backsheets, acquisition layers,absorbent cores), packaging (such as flow wrap, shrink wrap, andpolybags), trash bags, food wrap, wipes, facial tissue, toilet tissue,paper towels, and the like.

II. Processes and Apparatuses for Deforming Webs

It is desirable to design a process that enables better control over theformation of two or more sets of features. An approach for achievingbetter control over the formation of each set of features is providedhere. The approach utilizes a single nip with two rolls comprisingdiscrete male forming elements wherein at least one roll comprises twoor more ridges. This approach may enable better control over theformation of each set of features in a single unit operation. Thisapproach may enable the formation of multiple features in a single unitoperation, which eliminates or mitigate the risks of overlapping ofthese features if they were formed in separate steps, and ofmisalignment or overlapping of these features due to tracking variation.In addition, it also provides the benefit of much less space required onan absorbent article production line, which increasingly becomes premiumfor productivity perspectives.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show non-limiting embodiments of a process of thepresent invention and an apparatus that can be used in the process. InFIGS. 1A and 1B, the machine direction is from left to right. Process100 carried out according to the example in FIG. 1A comprises providinga precursor web 10 to a weakening unit 150 to weaken the precursor web10 at a plurality of locations to create a plurality of weakened,melt-stabilized locations in the precursor web 10. Process 200 carriedout according to the example in FIG. 1B comprises supplying a firstlayer 11, and then supplying a second layer 12 onto the first layer 11to overlap at least part of the first layer 11 to form a precursor web10. Then, the precursor web 10 is supplied to a forming unit 160 to forma plurality of first features and a plurality of second features on theprecursor web 10 simultaneously to provide a deformed web 20.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exemplary structures of the weakening unit 150 inFIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, a precursor web 10 travels and passesthrough a nip 106 of a web weakening roll arrangement 108 formed byrolls 110 and 112. Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 1B and 2, a firstlayer 11 is supplied, and then a second layer 12 is supplied onto thefirst layer 11 to overlap at least part of the first layer 11 to form aprecursor web 10 before the precursor web 10 passes through the nip 106.Though the process shown in FIG. 1B indicates introducing the secondlayer 12 onto the first layer 11 to form a precursor web 10 and feedingthe precursor web 10 into the forming unit 160 are carried outsequentially, these two steps can be carried out simultaneously as shownin FIG. 1C. The web weakening roll arrangement 108 preferably comprisesa patterned calendar roll 110 and a smooth anvil roll 112. One or bothof the patterned calendar roll 110 and the smooth anvil roll 112 may beheated and the pressure between the two rolls may be adjusted by wellknown means to provide the desired temperature, if any, and pressure toconcurrently weaken and melt-stabilize the precursor web 10 at aplurality of locations.

The patterned calendar roll 110 is configured to have a circularcylindrical surface 114, and a plurality of protuberances or patternelements 116 which extend outwardly from surface 114. The protuberances116 are disposed in a predetermined pattern with each protuberance 116being configured and disposed to precipitate a weakened, melt-stabilizedlocation 202 in the precursor web 10 to effect a predetermined patternof weakened, melt-stabilized locations in the precursor web 10. As shownin FIG. 2, repeating pattern of protuberances 116 may extend around aportion, or portions of the circumference of surface 114 of the calendarroll 110. Alternatively, the protuberances 116 may extend about theentire circumference of the surface 114.

The protuberances 116 are preferably rectangular shape cross sectionswhich extend radially outwardly from surface 114 and which haveelliptical distal end surfaces 117 although it is not intended tothereby limit the scope of the present invention to protuberances ofonly this configuration. Other suitable shapes for distal ends 117include, but are not limited to circular, square, rectangular, etc. Theroll 110 is finished so that all of the end surfaces 117 lie in animaginary right circular cylinder which is coaxial with respect to theaxis of rotation of roll 110.

Protuberances 116 are disposed in a regular predetermined pattern ofrows and columns in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, although it is notintended to thereby limit the scope of the present invention to thepattern of protuberances of only this configuration. The protuberancesmay be disposed in any predetermined pattern about patterned calendarroll 110.

Anvil roll 112 is preferably a smooth surfaced, right circular cylinderof steel.

Another example of a weakening structure of the weakening unit 150 ofprocess 100 or 200 of FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown in FIG. 3. Referring toFIG. 3, weakening arrangement 308 preferably comprises an ultrasonictransducer 306 and a cylinder 310. As the precursor web 10 is forwardedbetween the ultrasonic transducer 306 and the anvil cylinder 310, theprecursor web 10 is subjected to ultrasonic vibrational energy whereuponpredetermined pattern locations of the precursor web 10 are weakened andmelt-stabilized.

Anvil cylinder 310 has a multiplicity of discrete pattern protuberanceswhich are generally designated 316 disposed on its outwardly facingsurface 314 in a predetermined pattern which extends about the entirecircumference of the anvil cylinder. The protuberances 316 can bedisposed in a predetermined pattern with each protuberance 316 beingconfigured and disposed to precipitate a weakened, melt-stabilizedlocation 302 in the precursor web 10 to effect a predetermined patternof weakened, melt-stabilized locations in the precursor web 10. Anvil310 can have a repeating pattern of protuberances 316 which extendaround a portion, or portions of the circumference of surface 314.Alternatively, the protuberances 316 may extend about the entirecircumference of surface 314.

Descriptions provided regarding protuberances 116 are applied toprotuberances 316. Anvil 310 is finished so that all of the end surfaceslie in an imaginary right circular cylinder which is coaxial withrespect to the axis of rotation of anvil cylinder 310.

After having passed through the weakening unit 150, prior to beingintroduced to forming unit 160, the precursor web 10 includes aplurality of weakened, melt-stabilized locations 202, 302 whichgenerally correspond to the pattern of protuberances 116, 316,respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, after having passed through the weakeningunit 150, the precursor web 10 is fed into the forming unit 160.

The first layer 11 may have a longer width than a width of the secondlayer 12 in CD, and thus the precursor web 10 comprising the first layer11 and the second layer 12 may have at least one area, for example oneside of the precursor web 10 in MD where the second layer 12 does notexist.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the precursor web 10 is supplied to aforming unit 160 where a plurality of first features, a plurality ofsecond features and optional third features and/or fourth features areformed on the precursor web 10 to provide a deformed web 20.

Various processes and apparatuses for deforming webs by forming discretefeatures on webs known in the art can be utilized to form the first andthe second features in the present application.

One type of features preferred for at least one of the first and thesecond features in the present invention are apertures. Various methodsand apparatuses for forming apertures are disclosed in patentliteratures. Patents disclosing such methods include: U.S. Pat. Nos.8,241,543, 3,355,974; 2,748,863 and 4,272,473 disclosing apertureforming methods using apparatus having heated aperture forming elements;and U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,097 disclosing a method for selectivelyaperturing a nonwoven web or laminate of a nonwoven web and a polymericfilm by weakening the web or the laminate at a plurality of locations.

Another type of features preferred for the second discrete features inthe present invention are tufts. In many applications, it is desirablethat fibrous webs have a bulky texture and/or softness. As one example,a layered composite comprising a nonwoven layer in which nonwoven fibersprotrude, or are partially exposed through a polymer film can be usefulas a topsheet in absorbent articles as they provide an absorbentstructure in which the nonwoven acts as the conveyor of fluid from oneside of the composite to the other. The layered composite can bestructured such that the fluid collecting side of the layered compositeis a polymer film and nonwoven fibers protrude or are partially exposedthrough the polymer film to the fluid collecting side of the layeredcomposite. Various methods and apparatuses for forming tufts disclosedin patent literatures. Patents disclosing such methods include: WO1994/058117, WO 2004/59061, and WO 2010/117636 disclosing a method formaking tufts on a web using an apparatus comprising a roll comprising aplurality of ridges and grooves.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, formation of a plurality of first featuresand a plurality of second features occurs in formation unit 160, and canbe carried out on any suitable apparatus that may comprise any suitabletype(s) of forming structure. Suitable types of forming structuresinclude, but are not limited to: a pair of rolls that define a niptherebetween, pairs of plates, belts, etc. Using an apparatus with rollscan be beneficial in the case of continuous processes, particularlythose in which the speed of the process is of interest. Although theapparatuses will be described herein for convenience primarily in termsof rolls, it should be understood that the description will beapplicable to forming structures that have any other suitableconfigurations.

The rolls used in the apparatuses and processes described herein aretypically generally cylindrical. The term “generally cylindrical”, asused herein, encompasses rolls that are not only perfectly cylindrical,but also cylindrical rolls that may have elements on their surface. Theterm “generally cylindrical” also includes rolls that may have astep-down in diameter, such as on the surface of the roll near the endsof the roll. The rolls are also typically rigid (that is, substantiallynon-deformable). The term “substantially non-deformable”, as usedherein, refers to rolls having surfaces (and any elements thereon) thattypically do not deform or compress under the conditions used incarrying out the processes described herein. The rolls can be made fromany suitable materials including, but not limited to steel, aluminum orrigid plastic. The steel may be made of corrosion resistant and wearresistant steel, such as stainless steel. The rolls may or may not beheated. If heated, consideration of thermal expansion effects must beaccommodated according to well known practices to one skilled in the artof thermo-mechanical processes.

The rolls may be meshing, non-meshing, or at least partiallyintermeshing. The terms “meshing” or “inter-meshing”, as used herein,refer to arrangements when the forming elements on one of members of theforming structure (e.g., roll) extend toward the surface of the otherforming structure and the forming elements have portions that extendbetween and below an imaginary plane drawn though the tips of theforming elements on the surface of the other forming structure. The term“non-meshing”, as used herein, refers to arrangements when the formingelements on one of the members of the forming structure (e.g., roll)extend toward the surface of the other forming structure, but do nothave portions that extend below an imaginary plane drawn through thetips of the forming elements on the surface of the other formingstructure. The term “partially intermeshing”, as used herein, refers toarrangements when the forming elements on one of the members of theforming structure (e.g., roll) extend toward the surface of the otherforming structure and some of the forming elements on the surface of thefirst roll have portions that extend between and below an imaginaryplane drawn through the tips of the forming elements on the surface ofthe other forming structure, and some of the elements on the surface ofthe first roll do not extend below an imaginary plane drawn through thetips of the forming elements on the surface of the other formingstructure.

The rolls typically rotate in opposite directions (that is, the rollsare counter-rotating). The rolls may rotate at substantially the samespeed, or at different speeds. The phrase “substantially the samespeed”, as used herein, means that there is less than 0.3% difference inthe speed. The speed of the rolls is measured in terms of surface orperipheral speed. Typically, when the web comprises polymeric materials,the rolls will rotate at substantially the same speed. If the webcomprises cellulosic materials, the rolls may rotate at differentspeeds. The rolls may rotate at different surface speeds by rotating therolls at different axial speeds, or by using rolls that have differentdiameters that rotate at the same axial speeds. The rolls may rotate atsubstantially the same speed as the speed at which the web is fedthrough the nip between the rolls; or, they may rotate at a greaterspeed than the speed at which the web is fed through the nip between therolls.

The rolls used in the apparatuses and methods described herein are usedto mechanically deform portions of the web material or materials. Themechanical deformation process may be used to permanently deformportions of the web and form the types of features in the web describedabove. The terms “mechanically deform” and “mechanical deformation”, asused herein, do not include hydroforming processes.

The rolls may have any suitable type of elements on their surface (orsurface configuration). The surface of the individual rolls may,depending on the desired type of mechanical deformation, be providedwith forming elements comprising: “male” elements such as discreteprojections, or continuous projections such as ridges; “female” elementsor recesses such as discrete or continuous voids in the surface of therolls; or any suitable combination thereof. The female elements may havea bottom surface (which may be referred to as depressions, cavities, orgrooves), or they may be in the form of apertures (through holes in thesurface of the rolls). In some embodiments, the forming elements on thecomponents (such as the rolls) of the forming structure may comprise thesame general type (that is, the opposing components may both have maleforming elements thereon, or combinations of male and female elements).

The forming elements may have any suitable shape or configuration. Agiven forming element can have the same plan view length and widthdimensions (such as a forming element with a circular or square shapedplan view). Alternatively, the forming element may have a length that isgreater than its width (such as a forming element with a rectangularplan view), in which case, the forming element may have any suitableaspect ratio of its length to its width. Suitable configurations for theforming elements include, but are not limited to: ridges and grooves,teeth having a triangular-shaped side view; columnar shapes; elementshaving plan view configurations including circular, oval, hour-glassshaped, star shaped, polygonal, and the like, and combinations thereof.Polygonal shapes include, but are not limited to rectangular,triangular, hexagonal, or trapezoidal. The forming elements can havetips that are flat, rounded or sharp. In certain embodiments, the shapesof the female elements may differ from the shapes of any mating maleforming elements. In certain embodiments, the female forming elementscan be configured to mate with one or more male forming elements.

The forming elements can be of any suitable size and have any suitablespacing. The center-to-center spacings among adjacent forming elementsmay be the same or different. The center-to-center spacing of theforming elements may range from the scale used for such micro-texturedwebs up to, or greater than, the examples of the size of thecenter-to-center spacing of the larger forming elements describedherein. Suitable configurations for the forming elements are describedbelow with exemplary forming structures such as ring rolls; SELFingrolls; Micro-SELFing rolls, and RKA rolls; male/female embossing rolls.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of forming elements appropriate for ringrolling process. The rolls 164 and 166 are referred to herein as “ringrolls”. For ring rolling a web, each surface of rolls 164 and 166 has aplurality of alternating ridges 68 and grooves 70 extending around thecircumference of the rolls. In other embodiments, the ridges and groovesmay extend parallel to the axes A of the rolls. Referring to FIG. 4, theroll 164 includes a plurality of ridges 68 and corresponding grooves 70which extend about the entire circumference of roll 164. Roll 166includes a plurality of ridges 68 and a plurality of correspondinggrooves 70. Ridges 68 on roll 164 intermesh with or engage grooves 70 onroll 166, while ridges 68 on roll 166 intermesh with or engage grooves70 on roll 164.

As shown in FIG. 5, ring rolling can be used as incremental stretchingrolls to apply a tensioning force to a precursor web 10 which comprisesa first layer 11 and second layer 12 and has weakened, melt-stabilizedlocations 202 to cause the precursor web 10 to rupture at the pluralityof weakened, melt-stabilized locations 202 creating a plurality ofapertures 22 in the precursor web 10 coincident with the plurality ofweakened, melt-stabilized locations 202. With respect to FIG. 5 or otherfigures except FIG. 2, weakened, melt-stabilized locations 202 indicateweakened, melt-stabilized locations regardless forming process thereof,and are not limited to weakened, melt-stabilized locations formed by thestructure of a weakening unit shown in FIG. 2.

As the precursor web 10 passes through the ring rolls, the precursor web10 is subjected to tensioning in the cross-machine direction causing theprecursor web 10 to be extended in the CD direction. Alternatively, oradditionally the precursor web 10 may be tensioned in the machinedirection. The tensioning force placed on the precursor web 10 isadjusted such that it causes the weakened, melt-stabilized locations 202to rupture creating a plurality of apertures 22 coincident with theweakened melt-stabilized locations 202 in the precursor web 10. However,the bonds of the precursor web 10 are preferably strong enough such thatthey do not rupture during tensioning, thereby maintaining the precursorweb 10 in a coherent condition even as the weakened, melt-stabilizedlocations rupture. However, it may be desirable to have some of thebonds rupture during tensioning. Other exemplary structures ofincremental stretching mechanisms suitable for incrementally stretchingor tensioning the precursor web 10 are described in International PatentPublication No. WO 95/03765.

FIG. 6 shows a forming elements embodiment appropriate to form tufts orrib-like structures suitable for use in the processes and apparatusesdescribed herein. In FIG. 6, the top roll 164 is a ring roll havingcircumferential ridges 68 and grooves 70 as described with respect toFIG. 5, and the bottom roll 174 has forming elements which The Procter &Gamble Company's “SELF” or “SELFing” rolls have. The forming elements onthe SELF rolls, that is SELF teeth, can be oriented in either themachine direction (MD) or the cross-machine direction (CD). In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6, the SELF roll 174 comprises a plurality ofalternating circumferential ridges 76 and grooves 78. The ridges 76 havespaced apart channels 80 formed therein that are oriented parallel tothe axis A of the roll. The channels 80 form breaks in the ridges 76that create discrete forming elements or teeth 82 on the SELF roll 174.Forming elements, the teeth 82, have their longer dimension oriented inthe MD. The SELF configuration shown in FIG. 6 will be referred toherein as a standard “CD SELF” since the teeth are aligned in rows inthe MD and CD, and in the usual SELF process, the material being fedinto the nip N having such a SELF configuration would be stretched inthe CD.

In other embodiments, which are described in the SELF patents that areincorporated by reference herein, the SELF roll can comprise a machinedirection, or “MD SELF” roll. Such a roll will have alternating ridgesand grooves that are oriented parallel to the axis A of the roll. Theridges in such a roll have spaced apart channels formed therein that areoriented around the circumference of the roll. The channels form breaksin the ridges to form discrete forming elements or teeth on the MD SELFroll. In the case of MD SELF rolls, the teeth have their longerdimension oriented in the CD.

FIG. 7A shows another embodiment of forming elements to form tufts ortuft like features suitable for use in the processes and apparatusesdescribed herein. In this embodiment, the roll 190 comprises a variationof one of The Procter & Gamble Company's CD SELF rolls. As shown in FIG.7A, the surface of the roll has a plurality of spaced apart teeth 32.The teeth 32 are arranged in a staggered pattern. More specifically, theteeth 32 are arranged in a plurality of circumferentially-extending,axially-spaced rows, such as 102A and 102B, around the roll. But for thespacing TD between the teeth in each row, the teeth in each roll wouldform a plurality of circumferentially-extending, axially-spacedalternating ridges and grooved regions. The tooth length TL and machinedirection spacing TD can be defined such that the teeth in adjacent rows102A and 102B either overlap or do not appear to overlap when the rollsare viewed from one of their ends. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A,the teeth 32 in adjacent rows are circumferentially offset by a distanceof about 0.5x (where “x” is equal to the tooth length TL plus the MDspacing TD between teeth in a given row). In other words, the leadingedges LE of adjacent teeth in adjacent rows will be offset in the MD byabout 0.5x.

The roll 190 can be aligned with an opposing roll which has ridges andgrooves therein so that the rows of teeth in one roll align with thegrooved regions between the teeth in the opposing roll. The staggeredtooth pattern allows the precursor web 10 to be mechanically impacted toform features in a staggered pattern.

FIG. 7B shows in cross section a portion of the intermeshing rolls 166and 174 shown in FIG. 6 including teeth 82 which appear as ridges 76 andgrooves 78 between the teeth 82. The teeth can have a triangular orinverted V-shape when viewed in cross-section. The vertices of teeth areoutermost with respect to the surface of the rolls. As shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B, teeth 82 that have a tooth height TH, a tooth length TL, and atooth-to-tooth spacing (or ridge-to-ridge spacing) referred to as thepitch P. For staggered rolls, the pitch is equal to the spacing betweenadjacent rows of forming elements. The tooth length TL in suchembodiments is a circumferential measurement. The outermost tips of theteeth have sides that are preferably rounded to avoid cuts or tears inthe precursor material. The size and shape of the tooth tip may bespecified via the tip radius TR. The leading and trailing edges of theteeth may have a radius as well, or the teeth may form a right angle(and have no radius). As shown, the ridges 68 of one roll extendpartially into the grooves 78 of the opposed roll to define a “depth ofengagement” DOE, which is a measure of the level of intermeshing ofrolls 164 and 174. The depth of engagement can be zero, positive formeshing rolls, or negative for non-meshing rolls. The depth ofengagement DOE, tooth height TH, tooth length TL, tooth spacing TD, tipradius TR, and pitch P can be varied as desired depending on theproperties of precursor web 10 and the desired characteristics of adeformed web from the precursor web 10.

The teeth can have any suitable dimensions. In certain embodiments ofthe SELF rolls, the teeth can have a length TL ranging from about 0.5 mm(0.020 inches) to about 13 mm (0.512 inches) and a spacing TD from about0.5 mm to about 13 mm, a tooth height TH ranging from about 0.5 mm toabout 17 mm (0.669 inches), a tooth tip radius TR ranging from about0.05 mm (0.002 inches) to about 0.5 mm (0.020 inches), and a pitch Pbetween about 1 mm (0.040 inches) and 10 mm (0.400 inches). The depth ofengagement E can be from about −1 mm to about 16 mm (up to a maximumapproaching the tooth height TH). Of course, E, P, TH, TD, TL, and TRcan each be varied independently of each other to achieve the desiredproperties in the web.

FIG. 7C shows an alternative forming elements embodiment appropriate toform tufts or rib-like structures suitable for use in the processes andapparatuses described herein. The roll 192 is referred to herein as an“MD staggered SELF” roll in which the teeth 42 are oriented with theirlonger dimension oriented in the CD and are staggered. The roll 192 hascircumferentially extending channels 94 formed between the teeth.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative forming elements embodiment to formapertures suitable for use in the processes and apparatuses describedherein. In FIG. 8 the top roll 164 is a ring roll, and the bottom roll104 is referred to herein as a Rotary Knife Aperturing (or “RKA”) roll.As shown in FIG. 8, the rolls comprise a pair of counter-rotating,intermeshing rolls, wherein the top roll 164 comprisescircumferentially-extending ridges 68 and grooves 70, and the bottomroll 104 comprises pyramid shaped teeth 52 with at least six sides, thesides being substantially triangular and being tapered from a base to atip. The teeth 52 are arranged in spaced apart circumferential rows withgrooves 54 therebetween. The teeth 52 are joined to the bottom roll 104at the base, and the base of the tooth has a cross-sectional lengthdimension greater than a cross-sectional width dimension. Typically,apertures are formed in the precursor web 11 as the teeth 52 on the RKAroll 104 intermesh with grooves 70 on the other roll 164. With respectto tooth height, tooth spacing, pitch, depth of engagement, and otherprocessing parameters, RKA and the RKA apparatus can be the same asdescribed herein with respect to SELF or Micro-SELF. RKA rolls aredescribed in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.US 2006/0087053 A1.

FIG. 9 shows a portion of the nip between a pair of rolls having analternative forming elements to form embossing for use in the processesand apparatuses described herein. As shown in FIG. 9, male/femaleembossing apparatus comprises at least a first and a second patternedroll 214 and 216. The first patterned roll 214 has a male embossingpattern, comprising one or more projections 218 which may be discreteelements (e.g., dot and/or line) embossing elements. The secondpatterned roll 216 has a female embossing pattern comprising one or morerecesses 220, which may be discrete (e.g., dot and/or line configuredrecesses), into which one or more of the projections of the firstpatterned roll mesh. The rolls may have matched or unmatched patterns.The elements on the rolls can be of any suitable size and shape. Whenthe embossing rolls have unmatched embossing patterns, they wereengraved independently from each other. The rolls 214 and 216 in such anembodiment have enlarged sidewall clearances between adjacent,inter-engaged projections 218 and recesses 220 of the embossingpatterns.

FIG. 10 shows a forming structure 132 as an exemplary forming unit 160for making a deformed web 20 according to the present invention. Formingstructure 132 can provide a deformed web 20 having a plurality of firstfeatures (apertures in this case) throughout both the first and secondlayers and a plurality of second features (tufts or rib-like structuresin this case) in the first layer. Precursor web 10 comprising a firstlayer 11 and a second layer 12 has a plurality of weakened,melt-stabilized locations 202 in at least one predetermined area, afirst area.

The forming structure 132 comprises a pair of rolls 134 and 136 having anip 130, each rotating about parallel axes A.

A first roll 134 comprises a first region 111 comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges 68 separated by grooves 70, and twosecond regions 113 comprising a plurality of second forming elements,teeth 72 in this case, separated by grooves 74 on its surface. The firstforming elements apply a tensioning force to the precursor web 10 tocause the precursor 10 to rupture at the plurality of weakened,melt-stabilized locations creating a plurality of apertures in theprecursor web 10 coincident with the plurality of weakened,melt-stabilized locations.

A second roll 136 comprises a first region 121 havingcircumferentially-extending ridges 68′ separated by grooves 70′, ringroll elements; and two second regions 123 comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges 68′″ separated by grooves 70′″ on itssurface. In one embodiment, the second roll 136 is a ring roll havingring roll elements on its substantially entire surface. The ridges 68′and grooves 70′ in the first region 121 of the roll 136 may or may nothave the same dimensions as the ridges 68′″ and grooves 70′″ in thesecond region 123 of the roll 136. In one embodiment, the second roll136 has a longer roll diameter in the second region than in the firstregion. This type of roll design is preferred especially when the firstlayer 11 is a polymeric film layer.

At least some of ridges 68′ and grooves 70′ in the first region 121 ofroll 136 and at least some of ridges 68 and grooves 70 in the firstregion 111 of roll 134 are intermeshed, and incrementally stretchprecursor web 10 to form apertures 22 in the precursor web 10 coincidentwith a plurality of weakened, melt-stabilized locations 202. The ridges68 and grooves 70 in the first region 111 of the roll 134 may have thesame dimensions as the ridges 68′ and grooves 70′ in the first region121 of the roll 136 as well known in the art of “ring-rolling”. Ofcourse, precursor web 10 has melt-weakened locations 202 formed thereinprior to precursor 10 entering the nip 130 of forming structure 132. Inaddition, at least some of the second forming elements in the first roll134, teeth 72 in FIG. 10, extend inward toward the axis of the secondroll 136 beyond at least some of the ridges 68′″ in the second region ofthe second roll 136 to form the plurality of second features. That is,at least some of grooves 70′″ of roll 136 are intermeshed with at leastsome of teeth 72 of roll 134 to form the tufts or rib-like structures 26in the precursor web 10. The second forming elements, teeth 72 areexplained further in FIG. 14B and FIG. 15 later.

In addition, at least some of ridges 68″ of roll 134 are intermeshedwith at least some of the grooves 64 of roll 136 to form tufts in theprecursor web 10.

In a non-limiting example, the first layer 11 is a polymer film layerand the second layer 12 is a nonwoven layer. In another non-limitingexample, both the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are nonwovenlayers.

The process according to the present invention, the first features areformed through both the first and second layer in z-dimension and thesecond features by the second forming elements such as teeth 72 in FIG.10 are formed in an area of a web where the second layer does not exist.

In FIG. 10, at least one of roll 134 or 136 may further compriseadditional forming elements (not indicated in FIG. 10) to formadditional features on precursor web 10. The additional forming elementsmay be located in a region separate from either the first region or thesecond region of roll 134 or 136. At least some of the additionalforming elements may be located in a first region in roll 134 or 136resulting additional features intermixed with the first features.

In one embodiment, the second forming elements can, for example,comprise standard or staggered CD SELF teeth or MD SELF teeth, RKA teethsuch as shown in FIG. 8, another raised ridge RKA teeth, raised ridgeSELF teeth disclosed in WO 2012/149074A, or standard or staggered IPSteeth disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,752.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the second formingelements 72 of roll 134 are staggered CD SELF teeth or CD IPS teeth andapplied in an area of a precursor web 10 where the second layer 12 doesnot exist. The tips of at least some of the second forming elements 72of roll 134 extend inward toward the axis of the roll 136 to a depthbeyond the top of at least some of the ridges 68′″ on the roll 136.

One advantage of the process and/or apparatus described above is thatthe deformed web can be produced in-line with other production equipmenton a manufacturing line for producing disposable absorbent articles. Forexample, a process or an apparatus such as the weakening unit 150 or theforming unit 160 shown in FIG. 1A or 1B can be inserted as a unitoperation into an existing manufacturing line. As unit operationsthemselves, such apparatuses can be modular such that they can bechanged out relatively quickly and easily with other modular unitoperations. When used as part of a manufacturing line for sanitarynapkins, for example, the constituent rolls need not be much wider thanthe product itself, thereby providing for relatively quick and easyinstallation and removal.

FIG. 11 shows another forming structure 232 as an exemplary forming unit160 for making a deformed web 20 according to the present invention. Therolls are configured to deform a precursor web 10 with at least threesets of deformations. At least two of the three deformations orient indifferent directions each other relative to the surface of deformed web20 that is in z-dimension in the web. The forming structure 232 canprovide a deformed web 20 having a plurality of first features(apertures 22 in FIG. 11), a plurality of second features (tufts orrib-like structures 26 in FIG. 11) and a plurality of third (tufts 24 inFIG. 11). Precursor web 10 comprising a first layer 11 and a secondlayer 12 has a plurality of melt-weakened locations 202 in at least onepredetermined area, a first area. Referring to FIG. 11, the formingstructure 232 comprises a pair of rolls 234 and 236 having a nip 230,each rotating about parallel axes A. The pair of intermeshing rolls 234and 236 operates to form the first, second and third features onprecursor web 10 simultaneously.

A first roll 234 comprises a first region 111 comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges 68 separated by grooves 70, ring rollelements, as first forming elements; second regions 113 comprising aplurality of second forming elements, teeth 72 in this case, separatedby grooves 74; and third regions 115 comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges 68″ separated by grooves 70″ on itssurface. The circumferentially-extending ridges 68 and grooves 70 in thefirst region 111 may have the same dimensions as thecircumferentially-extending ridges 68″ and grooves 70″ in the thirdregion 115 as well known in the art of “ring-rolling”.

A second roll 236 comprises a first region 121 comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges 68′ separated by grooves 70′, ringroll elements; two second regions 123 comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges 68′″ separated by grooves 70′″, andtwo third regions 125 comprising ridges having formed therein thirdforming elements 62, the toothed ridges separated by grooves 64 on itssurface. In one embodiment, the second roll 236 has a longer rolldiameter in the third than in the first region and/or in the secondregion. This roll design may be preferred when the first layer 11 is apolymeric film layer.

In one embodiment, the third forming elements can, for example, comprisestandard CD SELF teeth, and descriptions for the second forming elementsstated with respect to FIG. 10 are applicable for the third formingelements of FIG. 11. Descriptions for the process and apparatus statedwith respect to FIG. 10 are applicable for the process and apparatus ofFIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 11, at least one of roll 234 or 236 may furthercomprise a plurality of fourth forming elements (not indicated in FIG.11) to form a plurality of fourth features on precursor web 10. Thefourth forming elements may be located in a fourth region separate fromeither the first, second or third region of roll 234 or 236. At leastsome of the fourth forming elements may be located in a first region orthird region in roll 234 resulting a plurality of fourth featuresintermixed with the first features or third features.

The circumferentially-extending ridges 68 and grooves 70 in the firstregion 111 may have the same dimensions as thecircumferentially-extending ridges 68″ and grooves 70″ in the secondregion 113 as well known in the art of “ring-rolling”. Thecircumferentially-extending ridges 68 and grooves 70 in the first region111 may differ in their dimensions from the circumferentially-extendingridges 68″ and grooves 70″ in the second region 113.

Obtained deformed web 20 comprising the first layer 11 and the secondlayer 12 has a first surface 30 comprising the first layer 11 and aplurality of discrete tufts or rib-like structures 24 including fibersintegral with and extending from the second layer 12 toward the firstlayer 11. In case of tufts, each of the tufts 24 has a tuft baseproximal to the second layer 12 and a distal portion opposing the tuftbase. Tufts may be formed in both layers; or, the tuft of one layer mayburst through the other layer as described in greater detail in U.S.Pat. No. 7,648,752. At least part of the distal portion of each of thetufts 24 may be covered by a cap, each cap being an integral extensionof the first layer 11 extending over the distal portion of a discretetuft. Forming capped tufts is described in greater detail in WO2010/117636.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in one embodiment, the precursor web 10and the deformed web 20 comprise an area 36 in outer sides thereof alonga machine direction where the second layer 12 does not exist, and thesecond features (tufts or rib-like structures 26 in FIGS. 10 and 11) areformed. In such an embodiment, at least majority of tufts or rib-likestructures 26 may be formed to side areas 36 of the precursor web 10predetermined to be flaps of a sanitary napkin. In an alternativeembodiment, the precursor web 10 and the deformed web 20 comprise thefirst layer 11 and the second layer 12 in a substantially entire areaand the second features are formed through the entire thickness of theprecursor web 10.

In another embodiment, at least majority of the plurality of firstfeatures are formed in a region of the precursor web 10 predetermined tobe a central region of a sanitary napkin.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a deformed web 20 made by a process ofthe present invention using the apparatus shown in FIG. 11, in which thefirst forming elements are ring roll elements, the second and thirdforming elements are staggered CD SELF teeth. In FIG. 12, the deformedweb 20 comprises a first surface 30 not contacting the second layer,first features comprising a plurality of spaced apart apertures 22formed throughout the first layer 11 and second layer 12, secondfeatures comprising a plurality of spaced apart tufts 24 formedthroughout the first layer 11 and second layer 12 towards the firstsurface 30 of the web 20, and third features comprising a plurality ofspaced apart tufts or rib-like structure 26 formed on a first layertowards opposite to the first surface 30. In FIG. 12, the apertures 22,tufts 24, and tufts or rib-like structure 26 may be aligned in rows inthe MD.

FIG. 13 is a view of intermeshing engagement of portions of the formingstructure of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14A shows a portion of one embodiment of a first roll 234 whereridges 68 and grooves 70, and teeth 72 separately by grooves 74 asexemplary second forming elements are shown. FIG. 14B shows a portion ofone embodiment of a second roll 236 having circumferentially-extendingridges 68′, 68′″ and grooves 70′, 70′″, and teeth 62 as an exemplarythird forming elements.

An enlarged view of the teeth 72 shown in FIG. 14A is shown in FIG. 15.As shown in FIG. 15, each tooth 72 has a tip 711, a leading edge LE anda trailing edge TE. The tooth tip 711 can be rounded to minimize fiberbreakage and is preferably elongated. Referring to the apparatus in FIG.11 and FIG. 15, in one embodiment when the first layer 11 of theprecursor web 10 is a polymer film, a deformed web 20 tends to stick toteeth 72 upon being pulled off of roll 234. In order to smoothly pulloff the deformed web 20 from roll 234, teeth 72 may have a side wallangle (“D”) of in the range of from about 8 to about 14 degrees in atleast LE. The side wall angle is an angle the longer sides of the teethmake relative to an imaginary vertical line extending outward from thecentral axis of the roll through the center of the teeth. Any radius atthe tips of the teeth is ignored. LE and TE in the teeth 72 may have thesame degree of side wall angle. LE and TE in the teeth 72 may havedifferent degrees of side wall angle.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a formingstructure 160 preferable for the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10or 11, when deformed web 20 tends to stick to second forming elements 72and/or third forming elements 62 upon being pulled off from rolls 134,and 136 (or 234 and 236), various processing aids can be added asnecessary. Formation of the second features in the outer sides aprecursor web 10 where only the first layer 11 exists, especially whenthe first layer 11 is a polymer film, the stickiness issue tends todeteriorate. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, deformed web 20exits nip 230 and is directed off of roll 234 over various guide rolls105 as necessary before being wound for further processing, shipping, orplacement for incorporation in a manufactured product. The process ofthe present invention employs guiding the deformed web 20 to a guideroll 105 which is located in a way that a center of the guide roll and acenter of the first roll are in a line substantially parallel to themachine direction. “Substantially parallel to the machine direction”herein means that an imaginary line connecting a center of the guideroll and a center of the first roll, and a machine direction form anangle in the range of from about 0 to about 5 degrees.

The guide roll is placed preferably from about 2 to about 5 mm away fromthe surface of first roll 234 having third features in each side inmachine direction of the roll. If it is placed too far away from firstroll 234, it cannot peel the web off as effective. If it is too closefrom roll 236, there is risk of damaging the guide roll or roll 234. Inaddition, known various processing aids can be added as necessary. Forexample, non-stick treatments such as silicone or fluorocarbontreatments can be added. Various lubricants, surfactants or otherprocessing aids can be added to the precursor web 20 or to the rolls234, 236. Other methods of aiding the removal of the web from the rollinclude air knives or brushing.

The present invention is also directed to a process for deforming aprecursor web by feeding the precursor web in a machine direction into anip that is formed between two intermeshing rolls. The precursor webcomprises a first layer, a second layer, a first area where the firstand second layers exist and a second area where the second layer doesnot exist. The process can form a plurality of first features in thefirst area of the precursor web and a plurality of second features inthe second area of the precursor web simultaneously.

The first roller the rolls having a surface, a circumference and anaxis, and comprising a first region comprising a plurality of firstforming elements and a second region comprising a plurality of secondforming elements on its surface; and the second roll having a surface, acircumference and an axis, and comprising a first region comprising aplurality of circumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves,and a second region comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves on its surface.When the precursor web is fed into the nip, at least some of theplurality of first forming elements in the region of the first rollextend inward toward the axis of the second roll beyond at least some ofthe plurality of circumferentially-extending ridges in the first regionof the second roll to form the plurality of first features; and at leastsome of the second forming elements in the second region of the firstroll extend inward toward the axis of the second roll beyond at leastsome of the plurality of circumferentially-extending ridges in thesecond region of the second roll to form the plurality of secondfeatures.

The first roll may further comprise a third region comprising aplurality of circumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves onits surface, and the second roll may further comprise a third regioncomprising a plurality of third forming elements which extend inwardtoward the axis of the first roll beyond at least some of the pluralityof circumferentially-extending ridges in the third region of the firstroll to form a plurality of third features.

Each of the first and second and third forming elements can be, forexample, comprise standard or staggered CD SELF teeth or MD SELF teeth,RKA teeth such as shown in FIG. 8, another raised ridge RKA teeth,raised ridge SELF teeth disclosed in WO 2012/149074A, or standard orstaggered IPS teeth disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,752.

The present invention is also directed to an apparatus for deforming aweb comprising a first roll and a second roll arranged to form a niptherebetween,

wherein the first roll has a surface, a circumference and an axis, andcomprises a first region comprising a plurality of first formingelements wherein the plurality of first forming elements comprise aplurality of circumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves, asecond region comprising a plurality of second forming elements, and athird region between the first region and the second region comprising aplurality of circumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves onits surface; and

wherein the second roll has a surface, a circumference and an axis, andcomprises a first region comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves which intermeshwith at least some of the plurality of first forming elements in thefirst roll, a second region comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves which intermeshwith at least some of the second forming elements in the first roll, anda third region comprising a plurality of third forming elements whichintermesh at least some of the plurality of circumferentially-extendingridges in the first roll on its surface,

wherein the second forming elements comprises teeth, each of the teethhaving a leading edge and a trailing end, wherein each of the teeth hasa draft angle in the range of from about 8 to about 14 degrees at theleading end.

The present invention is also directed to a process for producing anabsorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet comprising afirst area, a second area, a plurality of first features formed in thefirst area and a plurality of second features formed in the second areaof the tophseet, and a liquid impermeable backsheet in a continuousmatter. The process comprises the steps of: providing a precursortopsheet comprising a first layer and a second layer;

weakening the precursor topsheet at a plurality of locations to create aplurality of weakened, melt-stabilized locations in the first area ofthe precursor topsheet where both the first layer and the second layerexist; forming a plurality of first features and a plurality of secondfeatures in the precursor topsheet simultaneously; supplying a precursorbacksheet onto the second layer of the precursor topsheet andintegrating the precursor topsheet and the precursor backsheet to forman absorbent article assembly; and severing the absorbent articleassembly into individual absorbent articles. The plurality of firstfeatures is formed coincident with the plurality of weakened,melt-stabilized locations in the first area of the precursor topsheet.The plurality of second features is formed in a second area of theprecursor topsheet where the second layer does not exist.

The process for producing an absorbent article according to the presentinvention may further comprise a step of supplying an absorbent coreonto the second layer of the precursor topsheet and integrating theprecursor topsheet and the absorbent core prior to supplying anprecursor backsheet to form an absorbent article assembly. The processfor producing an absorbent article according to the present inventionmay further comprise a step of supplying a secondary topsheet onto thesecond layer of the precursor topsheet prior to supplying the optionalabsorbent core and/or the precursor backhseet to form an absorbentarticle assembly.

Various methods and apparatuses for producing absorbent articles such assanitary napkins and diapers known in the art can be utilized to conductthe process of the present invention.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “90°” is intended to mean“about 90°”.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation giventhroughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation,as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein.Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specificationwill include every higher numerical limitation, as if such highernumerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numericalrange given throughout this specification will include every narrowernumerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as ifsuch narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for deforming a web, the processcomprising the steps of: forming a plurality of microscopic aberrationsin a first layer and/or second layer of a precursor web, the microscopicfeatures comprising sidewalls and an aperture disposed at a distal endof the sidewalls, and wherein the first layer extends laterally outboardto a greater extent than the second layer; advancing the precursor webto a forming unit; simultaneously forming a plurality of macroscopicfeatures in the precursor web, wherein the plurality of macroscopicfeatures comprise first features and second features, wherein the firstfeatures are disposed in an area of overlap between the first layer andthe second layer, wherein the second features are disposed in an arealaterally outboard of the second layer, and wherein the microscopicfeatures extend in a first direction away from a first surface of theprecursor web and wherein the first and second features extend in asecond direction away from the precursor web, wherein the firstdirection is opposite the second direction.
 2. The process according toclaim 1, wherein the first features are apertures formed by applying atensioning force to the precursor web to cause the precursor web torupture.
 3. The process according to claim 1, wherein majority of thefirst features are formed in a region of the precursor web predeterminedto be a central region of a sanitary napkin.
 4. The process according toclaim 1, wherein majority of the second features are formed in an areaof the precursor web predetermined to be flaps of a sanitary napkin. 5.The process according to claim 1, wherein the step forming the pluralityof macroscopic features further forms third features in at least thearea of overlap between the first layer and second layer.
 6. The processaccording to claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a materialselected from a group consisting of a polymeric film, a nonwoven and acombination thereof.
 7. The process according to claim 6, wherein thesecond layer comprises a material selected from a group consisting of apolymeric film, a nonwoven and a combination thereof.
 8. The processaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first features and thesecond features are selected from the group consisting of apertures,protrusions, depressions, tufts and combinations thereof, and whereinthe second features are different than the first features.
 9. Theprocess according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the firstfeatures, second features, and third features are selected from thegroup consisting of apertures, protrusions, depressions, tufts andcombinations thereof, wherein the second features are different than thefirst features, and wherein the third features are different than thefirst features.
 10. The process according to claim 9, wherein the firstlayer comprises a material selected from a group consisting of apolymeric film, a nonwoven and a combination thereof.
 11. The processaccording to claim 10, wherein the second layer comprises a materialselected from a group consisting of a polymeric film, a nonwoven and acombination thereof.
 12. The process according to claim 9, wherein thefirst layer and the second layer comprise a material selected from agroup consisting of a polymeric film, a nonwoven and a combinationthereof, and wherein the first layer and the second layer comprise adifferent material.
 13. The process according to claim 9, wherein thefirst layer comprises a polymeric film and the second layer comprises anonwoven material.
 14. The process according to claim 9, wherein thefirst layer comprises a nonwoven material and the second layer comprisesa polymeric film.
 15. The process according to claim 9, wherein thethird features comprise sidewalls and a cap located on a distal end ofthe cap.
 16. A process for deforming a multilayer web, the processcomprising the steps of: a) providing a precursor web comprising a firstlayer, a second layer, a first area where the first and second layersexist and a second area where the second layer does not exist, b)forming a plurality of first features, a plurality of second features,and a plurality of third features, in the precursor web simultaneously,wherein the plurality of first features and third features are formed inthe first area of the precursor web and the plurality of second featuresare formed in the second area of the precursor web by feeding theprecursor web in a machine direction into a nip that is formed betweentwo intermeshing rolls comprising; a first roll having a surface, acircumference and an axis, and comprising a first region comprising aplurality of first forming elements and a plurality of third formingelements, and a second region comprising a plurality of second formingelements on its surface; and a second roll having a surface, acircumference and an axis, and comprising a first region comprising aplurality of circumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves,and a second region comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges separated by grooves on its surface,and when the precursor web is fed into the nip, at least some of theplurality of first forming elements and plurality of third formingelements in the first region of the first roll extend inward toward theaxis of the second roll beyond at least some of the plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges in the first region of the secondroll to form the plurality of first features and a plurality of thirdfeatures, respectively; and at least some of the second forming elementsin the second region of the first roll extend inward toward the axis ofthe second roll beyond at least some of the plurality ofcircumferentially-extending ridges in the second region of the secondroll to form the plurality of second features.
 17. The process accordingto claim 16, wherein the plurality of second forming elements comprisesteeth, each of the teeth having a leading edge and a trailing end,wherein each of the teeth has a draft angle in the range of from about 8to about 14 degrees at the leading end.
 18. The process according toclaim 16, wherein the first layer comprises a material selected from agroup consisting of a polymeric film, a nonwoven and a combinationthereof.
 19. The process according to claim 18, wherein the second layercomprises a material selected from a group consisting of a polymericfilm, a nonwoven and a combination thereof.
 20. The process according toclaim 16, wherein at least one of the first features and the secondfeatures are selected from the group consisting of apertures,protrusions, depressions, tufts and combinations thereof, and whereinthe second features are different than the first features.